Lightweight vehicle

ABSTRACT

A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/383,041 filed on Apr. 12, 2019. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is related in general subject matter to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/383,073 filed Apr. 12, 2019 by the Applicant ofthe present application. Said application is assigned to the sameassignee as the present application, was filed concurrently with saidapplication, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyinto the present application.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to lightweight vehicles, and to a universalassembly platform that can be selectively outfitted to construct avariety of different lightweight vehicles.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Lightweight vehicles are quite capable in a wide variety of ridingenvironments and situations, whether for sport or utility purposes. Theability of the vehicles to carry multiple occupants makes them sociallyenjoyable to ride as well. The vehicles can be easy to enter and exitand easy to operate with controls and ergonomics somewhat similar toautomobiles. While lightweight vehicles commonly have seating formultiple passengers, it may be desirable to improve the seating layoutfrom known vehicles.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a universalassembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platformcomprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension systemconnected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or morefront wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension systemconnected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or morerear wheel assembly is mountable. The front and rear suspension systemsare connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when theone or more wheel assembly is mounted to the front and/or rearsuspension system, the front distal end of the front tire islongitudinally forward of the universal assembly platform and the reardistal end of the rear tire is longitudinally rearward of the universalassembly platform. In various instances a rear wheel of the one or morerear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of thevehicle.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a lightweightvehicle that comprises a universal assembly platform for lightweightvehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassisstructure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehiclechassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly ismountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehiclechassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly ismountable. The front and rear suspension system are connected to themain vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more wheelassembly is mounted to the front and/or rear suspension system the frontdistal end of the front tire is longitudinally forward of the universalassembly platform and the rear distal end of the rear tire islongitudinally rearward of the universal assembly platform. In variousinstances a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly definesthe distal end of an overall length of the vehicle. The vehicle furthercomprises one or more forward facing seating structure. In variousembodiments, the rearmost forward facing structure is connected to theuniversal assembly platform such that it is positioned over the rearsuspension.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a lightweightvehicle that comprises a universal assembly platform for lightweightvehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassisstructure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehiclechassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly ismountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehiclechassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly ismountable. The front and rear suspension system are connected to themain vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheelassembly is mounted to the front and/or rear suspension system the frontdistal end of the front tire is forward of the universal assemblyplatform and the rear distal end of the rear tire is rearward of theuniversal assembly platform. In various instances a rear wheel of theone or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overalllength of the vehicle. The lightweight vehicle further comprises a primevehicle mover operably connected to one or more wheel assemblies formoving the vehicle over ground. In various embodiments, the lightweightvehicle additionally comprises a front row forward facing seatingstructure, and a rear row forward facing seating structure that isdisposed directly above the rear suspension system.

This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing variousexample embodiments of the present disclosure so as to provide a basicunderstanding of various aspects of the teachings herein. Variousembodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the described embodiments. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the description and specific examples set forth hereinare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present teachings.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a generic lightweight vehicle constructedutilizing a universal assembly platform, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a generic lightweight vehicle constructedutilizing the universal assembly platform shown in FIG. 1A having ashorter overall length, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a top isometric view of the generic lightweight vehicle shownin FIG. 1B, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1D is a bottom isometric view of the generic lightweight vehicleshown in FIG. 1B, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is side view of a universal assembly platform that can beselectively outfitted to construct a variety of different lightweightvehicles, such as the generic vehicle shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A through 3C are illustrations of exemplary chassis that can beutilized as a chassis for the universal assembly platform shown in FIGS.1A, 1B and 2 , in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 4A through 4C are illustrations of exemplary universal assemblyplatforms that comprise the exemplary chassis shown in FIGS. 3A through3C and includes a rear suspension system comprising a pair independentrear suspension assemblies having rear wheel assemblies mounted thereto,and also includes a front suspension system comprising a pairindependent front suspension assemblies having front wheel assembliesmounted thereto, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 5A through 5C are illustrations of exemplary universal assemblyplatforms that comprise the exemplary chassis shown in FIGS. 3A through3C and includes a rear suspension system comprising a solid axle rearsuspension assembly having rear wheel assemblies mounted thereto, andalso includes a front suspension system comprising a pair independentfront suspension assemblies having front wheel assemblies mountedthereto, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 6A through 6D are illustrations of various exemplary vehiclesconstructed using the universal assembly platforms shown in FIGS. 5Athrough 5C, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 7A through 7E are illustrations of various exemplary vehiclesconstructed using the universal assembly platforms shown in FIGS. 4Athrough 4C, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the universalassembly platform shown in FIGS. 1A through 7E comprising one or morecomponent mounting structure, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment universalassembly platform connected to including a front bulkhead and/or a rearbulkhead, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10A is an isometric top view of another exemplary embodimentuniversal assembly platform connected to including the front bulkheadand/or the rear bulkhead, in accordance with various other embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10B is an isometric bottom view of the exemplary embodimentuniversal assembly platform shown in FIG. 10A including a prime moverand a transaxle, in accordance with various other embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses.Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used torefer to like elements. Additionally, the embodiments disclosed beloware not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather,the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in theart can utilize their teachings. As well, it should be understood thatthe drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presentlyenvisioned embodiments to one of skill in the art, but are not intendedto be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products andmay include simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding orexplanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of thecomponents may differ from that shown and still operate within thespirit of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation describedherein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Allof the implementations described below are exemplary implementationsprovided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosureand are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. The terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and isnot intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”,“an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”,“comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and thereforespecify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps,processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed asnecessarily requiring their performance in the particular orderdiscussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order ofperformance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternativesteps can be employed.

When an element, object, device, apparatus, component, region orsection, etc., is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to or with”,“connected to or with”, or “coupled to or with” another element, object,device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., it can bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to or with the other element,object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., orintervening elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regionsor sections, etc., can be present. In contrast, when an element, object,device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., is referred to asbeing “directly on”, “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to”, or“directly coupled to” another element, object, device, apparatus,component, region or section, etc., there may be no interveningelements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions orsections, etc., present. Other words used to describe the relationshipbetween elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions orsections, etc., should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between”versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).

As used herein the phrase “operably connected to” will be understood tomean two are more elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,etc., that are directly or indirectly connected to each other in anoperational and/or cooperative manner such that operation or function ofat least one of the elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,etc., imparts are causes operation or function of at least one other ofthe elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, etc. Suchimparting or causing of operation or function can be unilateral orbilateral.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. For example, A and/or Bincludes A alone, or B alone, or both A and B.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein todescribe various elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,regions or sections, etc., these elements, objects, devices,apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., should not belimited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish oneelement, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc.,from another element, object, device, apparatus, component, region orsection, etc., and do not necessarily imply a sequence or order unlessclearly indicated by the context.

Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”,“lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, “first”, “second” and soforth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with thedrawings, and that components may be oriented differently, for instance,during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Becausemany varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope ofthe concept(s) taught herein, and because many modifications may be madein the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that thedetails herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in various embodiments, a lightweightvehicle 10 comprises a universal assembly platform 14. In someembodiments the universal assembly platform 14 comprises a main chassisstructure 16, a front suspension system 18 connected to a main chassisstructure 16, and a rear suspension system 26 connected to the mainchassis structure 16. In various embodiments, the lightweight vehicle 10further comprises a forward facing seating structure 46 connected to theuniversal assembly platform 14 and a floorboard 34 disposed on top ofthe main chassis structure 16. In some embodiments a front bodystructure 24 is mounted to the universal assembly platform 14 and infront of the forward facing seating structure 46 wherein the front bodystructure 24 provides one or more instrument panels and/or controlelements (e.g. ignition switch, operator pedals). In variousembodiments, the operator pedals (e.g. and accelerator pedal 27 and abrake pedal 28) extend from the front body structure 24 wherein theyhang above the horizontal floorboard plane HFP. In various instances,the combination of the accelerator pedal 27 and brake pedal 28 arereferred to as hanging pedals.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 , in various embodiments, thelightweight vehicle 10 (exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) isassembled, built, or constructed utilizing the universal assemblyplatform 14 (exemplarily shown in FIG. 2 ). In various embodiments, theuniversal assembly platform 14 provides an assembly platform on whichvarious lightweight vehicles, such as vehicle 10, can be assembled,built, or constructed such that all resulting vehicles built from thesame length universal assembly platform 14 will have the same orsubstantially same longitudinal length Y between a forwardmost side offront tires 22A and a rearmost side of the rear tires 30A, referred toherein as the longitudinal footprint length Y of the vehicle 10. Forexample, a variation in tire size across lightweight vehicles built fromthe same length universal assembly platform 14 causes a proportionalvariation in longitudinal footprint length Y. It will be understood thatthe vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is only an exemplaryillustration of a generic vehicle that has been assembled, built, orconstructed utilizing the universal assembly platform 14. FIGS. 1A and1B are only a generic example of the vehicle 10 in accordance withvarious embodiments. Other exemplary embodiments of vehicle 10 areillustrated and described herein with reference to the various otherfigures of this disclosure. Particularly, the vehicle 10 as describedand illustrated herein can be any lightweight vehicle assembled, built,or constructed utilizing the universal assembly platform 14, and thescope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary vehicle10 embodiments illustrated and described herein.

The universal assembly platform 14 generally comprises a main vehiclechassis or frame structure 16, a front suspension system 18 connected toa front portion of the main vehicle chassis structure 16 and to whichone or more front wheel assembly 22 can be mounted, and a rearsuspension system 26 connected to a rear portion of the main vehiclechassis structure 16 and to which one or more rear wheel assembly 30 canbe mounted. Particularly, the rear suspension 26 is connected to themain vehicle chassis structure 16 such that when the rear wheelassembly(ies) 30 is/are mounted to the rear suspension system 26 therear wheel assembly(ies) 30 define(s) the rearmost limit or distal endDE of an overall longitudinal footprint length Y of the resultingvehicle. In various embodiments, the overall vehicle length can be equalto the longitudinal vehicle footprint length Y. In such instances, thedistal end DE of the overall length of the resulting vehicle is also therearmost limit or distal end of the vehicle longitudinal footprint. Thatis, the distance between a forwardmost side of front tires 22A and arearmost side of the rear tires 30A is the length of the longitudinalfootprint length Y, as well as the overall length of the vehicle. Invarious embodiments, the universal assembly platform 14 can furtherinclude a floorboard 34 disposed over a top of the main vehicle chassisstructure 16. The floorboard 34 defines a floor surface of therespective lightweight vehicle constructed utilizing the universalassembly platform 14. In various embodiments the floorboard 34 isconfigured to fit a specific lateral width of the universal assemblyplatform 14 wherein the lateral width of the floorboard 34 and thelateral width of the universal assembly platform 14 are similar. Forexample, in various instances, the lateral width of the universalassembly platform 14 can be between 42 and 52 inches and the lateralwidth of the floorboard 34 can be between 42 and 52 inches. In variousembodiments, the floorboard 34 lateral width defines the lateral widthof the overall vehicle 10.

It will be understood that as used herein each of the front and rearwheel assemblies 22 and 30 respectively comprise a front or rearwheel/hub 22B or 30B having a front or rear tire 22A or 30A mountedthereon. It will also be understood that as used herein the rearsuspension system 26 comprises the cumulative structures to which therear wheel assembly(ies) 30 is/are connectable/mountable. For example,the rear suspension system 26 can comprise a pair of opposingindependent suspension assemblies 38 mounted to the rearward end of thevehicle chassis 16, each having a respective rear wheel assembly 30connectable/mountable thereto. Or alternatively, the rear suspensionsystem 26 can comprise a solid axle suspension assembly having a pair ofrear wheel assemblies 30 connectable/mountable to opposing ends thereof.In various embodiments, the rear solid axle suspension comprises biasingmembers (e.g., cantilevered leaf spring, torsion bar, transverse leafspring, or any other device structured to keep the wheels engaged withthe ground). Similarly, the front suspension system 18 can include apair of opposing independent suspension assemblies connected to thevehicle chassis 16, each having a respective front wheel assembly 22connectable/mountable thereto. Or alternatively, the front suspensionsystem 18 can comprise a solid axle suspension assembly having a pair offront wheel assemblies 22 connectable/mountable to opposing endsthereof. In various embodiments, the front solid axle suspensioncomprises biasing members (e.g., cantilevered leaf spring, torsion bar,transverse leaf spring, or any other device structured to keep thewheels engaged with the ground).

In various embodiments the lightweight vehicle 10 further comprises aprime vehicle mover 36 (e.g., an internal combustion engine, an electricmotor, or any other device structured and operable to deliverpower/torque/motive force) operably connected to one or more the frontand/or rear wheel assemblies 22 and/or 30 for moving the vehicle 10 overthe ground. For example, in various instances the prime mover 36 can bea permanent magnet AC motor and be operably coupled to a transaxle 40(shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B) to provide driving force to the frontand/or rear wheel assemblies 22 and/or 30 of the vehicle 10. In variousembodiments the prime mover 36 can be mounted to the universal assemblyplatform 14 wherein the entire prime mover 36 is disposed or located ata height lower than a bottom of the seat bottom 46A on the vehicle.

The universal assembly platform 14 provides vehicle manufacturers withthe ability to produce/assemble a plurality of different types and/orconfigurations of vehicles utilizing the same universal assemblyplatform 14. Therefore, a manufacturer can produce universal assemblyplatforms 14 having a desired length, width (length and width equals theresulting vehicle's footprint), height, and structural strength andrigidity, and then utilize the universal assembly platforms 14 toassemble golf cars and/or passenger/personal transport vehicles (PTV),and/or utility vehicles, and/or various other lightweight vehicles 10.Accordingly, all vehicles 10 constructed using the universal assemblyplatform 14 will have the same or substantially same footprint (e.g.,substantially the same length and width), and will be able to be shippedwithin the same or substantially same shipping envelope (e.g., withinthe same or substantially same space and shipping parameters). Forexample, a PTV and a golf car constructed utilizing the same universalassembly platform 14 will have the same or substantially same overalllength Y of the longitudinal vehicle footprint, and will be able to beshipped within the same or substantially same shipping envelope.

Moreover, in various embodiments, the universal assembly platform 14,having the rear suspension system 26 connected to the main vehiclechassis structure 16 such that when the rear wheel assembly(ies) 30is/are mounted to the rear suspension system 26 the rear wheelassembly(ies) 30 define(s) the rear limit of an overall length Y of thelongitudinal vehicle footprint, can be utilized to construct a golf car(e.g., the golf car exemplarily illustrated FIGS. 6B and 7B). In variousembodiments the golf car comprises one or more golf bag holders 70disposed behind the rearmost forward facing seat 46 of the vehicle 10where the golf bag holder 70 is configured to hold at least one golf bag74. In various embodiments the golf bag holder 70 is configured tosupport the golf bag 74 wherein the base of the golf bag 74 is locatedsubstantially forward the top of the golf bag 74. In variousembodiments, the universal assembly platform 14 can be utilized toconstruct the vehicle 10 (e.g., a golf car) having a longitudinalfootprint length Y of equal to or less than 106 inches, for example,between 81 and 95 inches, e.g., in various instances equal to or lessthan 81 inches. In various embodiments, a golf car vehicle 10 havingonly a first/front row forward facing seating structure 50 can beconstructed on the universal platform 14 having a shorter longitudinalfootprint length Y than a vehicle having first and second row forwardfacing seating structures 50F and 50R (e.g. the short golf carillustrated in FIG. 1B). For example the longitudinal footprint length Yof a golf car 10 can be 81 inches or less while a personal transportvehicle (PTV) can be constructed to have a longitudinal footprint lengthY of 95 inches or less.

Moreover still, since, as described above, a golf car and a PTV can beconstructed utilizing the universal assembly platform 14 describedherein such that the resulting golf car and PTV have the same orsubstantially the same longitudinal footprint length Y, the universalassembly platform 14 can be utilized to construct a PTV having a forwardfacing rear seat (such as the PTV exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 6D,7D and 7E).

The vehicle chassis structure 16 can be any suitable vehicle chassisstructure or vehicle frame that is structured and operable to providethe main support structure on which the vehicle 10 is assembled orbuilt, and to which the front and rear suspension systems 18 and 26 canbe connected. For example, in various embodiments, the main vehiclechassis structure 16 can comprise a frame, for example a metal (e.g.,steel or aluminum) frame, that includes a plurality of interconnected orjoined solid beams or hollow tubes that provide the rigidity andstructural integrity of main vehicle chassis structure 16, such asexemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Or, for example, in variousembodiments, the main vehicle chassis structure 16 can comprise acorrugated unibody floor pan comprising a plurality of alternatingraised ridges and recessed channels that provide the rigidity andstructural integrity of main vehicle chassis structure 16, such asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3C. In various embodiments, (asexemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B) the main vehicle chassisstructure 16 comprises a raised tunnel structure that provides clearancefor powertrain components (e.g. the vehicle prime mover, driveshaft,differential, or any other devices configured to transmit power to oneor more of the front and/or wheel assemblies 22 and/or 30). For examplethe raised tunnel structure can span the entire longitudinal length ofthe main chassis structure 16 and is located laterally in the middlesection of the main chassis structure 16.

In various embodiments, the rear suspension system 26 can be any rearsuspension system that, when connected to the main vehicle chassis 16,is structured to dispose the rear wheel assembly(ies) 30 at the rear ofthe main vehicle chassis structure 16 such the rear wheel assembly(ies)30 define(s) the rearmost limit or distal end DE of an overall length Yof the longitudinal footprint of the resulting vehicle 10, and hence therearmost limit or distal end of the footprint of the vehicle 10. Forexample, as described above, in various embodiments wherein the vehicle10 includes two rear wheel assemblies 30 (as exemplarily illustratedthroughout the figures), the rear suspension system 26 can comprise apair of independent suspension assemblies 38 as exemplarily illustratedin FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. Alternatively, in various other embodiments,wherein the vehicle 10 includes two rear wheel assemblies 30 (asexemplarily illustrated throughout the figures), the rear suspensionsystem 26 can comprise beam axle, rigid axle or solid axle suspensionassembly 42 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E, asdescribed above, the universal assembly platform 14 provides vehiclemanufacturers with the ability to produce/assemble a plurality ofdifferent types and/or configurations of vehicles utilizing the sameuniversal assembly platform 14. Particularly, a manufacturer can produceuniversal assembly platforms 14 having a desired length, width, height,and structural strength and rigidity, and then utilize the universalassembly platforms 14 (each having same the length, width, height, andstructural strength and rigidity) to assemble golf cars and/or transportvehicles, and/or utility vehicles, and/or various other lightweightvehicles. Hence, the universal assembly platform 14 can be manufacturedto have various lengths, widths, heights, and structural strength andrigidity based on the desired vehicle type and vehicle configuration tobe assembled.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, a universalassembly platform 14 ₁ having a length of X₁ can be fabricated for usein assembling a vehicle 10 ₁ (generically illustrated in FIG. 6A) havingthe longitudinal footprint length of Y and configured to have a rearsuspension system 26 comprising a solid beam rear suspension assembly 42that is connected to the chassis 16 such that the universal platformlength X₁ is located within the range defined by the longitudinalfootprint Y of the vehicle 10. For example, the entire universalassembly platform 14 is forward of the distal end DE of the vehiclelongitudinal footprint Y, and rearward of an opposing proximal end PE ofthe longitudinal vehicle footprint Y. Particularly, the solid beam rearsuspension assembly 42 is connected to the chassis 16 such that theuniversal platform length X₁ is located within the range defined by thelongitudinal footprint Y of the vehicle 10 ₁, wherein the rearmostsurface of the rear tire 30A is behind the rearmost portion of theuniversal platform 14 ₁ and the forwardmost portion of the front tire22A is in front of the forwardmost portion of the universal platform 14₁. As described above in various embodiments, the overall longitudinalfootprint length Y of the vehicle 10 ₁ can be equal to or less than 106inches, for example, between 81 and 95 inches, e.g., in variousinstances equal to or less than 81 inches.

As used herein, the word “forward” and the phrase “forward of” are usedto describe the direction from a named component or structure toward thefront of the vehicle (e.g., vehicle 10, 10 ₁, or 10 ₂). Similarly, asused herein, the word “rearward” and the phrase “rearward of” are usedto describe the direction from a named component or structure toward therear of the vehicle (e.g., vehicle 10, 10 ₁, or 10 ₂).

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 6B, 6C and 6D, the vehicle 10 ₁ canbe any desired lightweight vehicle, such as a golf car, a lightweightutility/work vehicle, a passenger transport vehicle having a forwardfacing rear seat, etc., wherein each such vehicle 10 ₁ is constructedusing the same universal assembly platform 14 ₁. Additionally, asfurther illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D each of the vehicles 10 ₁constructed using the universal assembly platform 14 ₁ has the samelongitudinal footprint length Y, and moreover, the same footprintdimensions. In various embodiments, the longitudinal footprint Y varieswhen different tire sizes are used across vehicles and the wheelbase X₁remains the same.

As a further example, with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E, auniversal assembly platform 14 ₂ having a length of X₂ can be fabricatedfor use in assembling a vehicle 10 ₂ (generically illustrated in FIG.7A) having the overall longitudinal footprint length of Y and configuredto have a rear suspension system 26 comprising a pair of opposingindependent suspension assemblies 38 connected to the vehicle chassis 16such that universal platform length X₂ is located within the rangedefined by the longitudinal footprint Y of the vehicle 10. For examplethe entire universal assembly platform 14 is forward of the distal endDE, and rearward of an opposing proximal end PE of the longitudinalvehicle footprint Y. Particularly, the opposing independent suspensionassemblies 38 are connected to the vehicle chassis 16 such that theuniversal platform length X₂ is located within the range defined by thelongitudinal footprint Y of the vehicle, e.g., rearmost surface of therear tire 30A is behind the rearmost portion of the universal platform14 ₂ and the forwardmost portion of the front tire 22A is in front ofthe forwardmost portion of the universal platform 14 ₂. As describedabove in various embodiments the overall longitudinal footprint length Yof the vehicle 10 ₂ can be equal to or less than 106 inches, forexample, between 81 and 95 inches, e.g., in various instances equal toor less than 81 inches.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E, the vehicle 10 ₂can be any desired lightweight vehicle, such as a golf car, alightweight utility/work vehicle, a passenger transport vehicle having aforward facing rear seat, etc., wherein each such vehicle 10 ₂ isconstructed using the same universal assembly platform 14 ₂.Additionally, as further illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E eachof the vehicles 10 ₂ constructed using the universal assembly platform14 ₂ has the same longitudinal footprint length Y, and moreover, thesame footprint dimensions. In various embodiments, the longitudinalfootprint Y varies when different tire sizes are used across vehiclesand the wheelbase X₂ remains the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3A through 7E constructing avehicle 10 utilizing the universal assembly platform 14 as describedherein, provides greater flexibility in vehicle design and in placement,location, orientation, and configuration of various vehicle componentssuch as the vehicle passenger seat(s) 46 (comprising seat bottom(s) 46Aand seat back(s) 46B and associated pedestal(s) 48, cumulativelyreferred to herein as the seating structures 50. For example, asexemplarily shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, the vehicle 10 configured as agolf car utilizing the universal assembly platform 14 allows for morespace and flexibility for the placement, orientation, location andconfiguration of the golf bag retention system.

As another example, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C, the vehicle10 configured as a utility vehicle utilizing the universal assemblyplatform 14 allows the vehicle 10 to be configured with a cargo bed 66(e.g, fixed or dump cargo bed) located directly above the rearsuspension system 26. In various embodiments, a pivot location P of adump cargo bed 66 can be located longitudinally forward of an axis Aextending through and or between the radial center(s) of the rear wheelassembly(ies) 30. Locating the cargo bed 66 directly above the rearsuspension 26 provides improved vehicle control and stability andincreased cargo capacity and load limit. In various embodiments, thecargo bed 66 can comprise a main section 66A and a front section 66Bwherein a bottom surface 66C of the main section 66A is located at aheight above a bottom surface 66D of the front section 66B. In variousinstances, the bottom surfaces 66C and 66D of the mane front sections66A and 66B of the cargo bed 66 is located at a height below the seatbottom 46A.

As yet another example, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6D, 7D and 7E, thevehicle 10 configured as a passenger transport vehicle utilizing theuniversal assembly platform 14 allows the vehicle 10 to be configuredwith a second/rear row of forward facing seats 46, i.e., a second/rearrow forward facing rear seating structure 50R located behind afirst/front row forward facing front seating structure 50F. In suchconfigurations, the universal assembly platform 14 allows thesecond/rear row seating structure 50R to be located directly above therear suspension system 26, in various instances directly above a axis Aextending through and or between the radial center(s) of the rear wheelassembly(ies) 30, such that the second/rear row seating structure 50R issufficiently spaced apart from the first/front row seating structure 50to provide ample and comfortable foot room, or footwell, distance Mtherebetween. In various embodiments, the second/rear row seatingstructure 50R can be mounted to the universal assembly platform 14 suchthat a portion of the second/rear row seating structure 50R is notdirectly above the main chassis structure 16. For example, in variousinstances the second/rear row seating structure 50R is cantilevered pastthe universal assembly platform length X₁ or X₂. In various embodiments,the second/rear row seating structure 50R can be located directly abovethe axis A such that at least a portion of the seat back 46B of the rearrow seating structure 50R is located rearward beyond or behind the axisA. For example, in various instances the entire seat back 46B can belocated rearward beyond or behind the axis A. In some embodiments theseat back 46B extends past the distal end DE of the longitudinalfootprint Y and/or of the rearmost portion of the rear tire 30A. Invarious instances, the second/rear row seating pedestal 48 has a heightH1 that can be equal to the first/front row seating pedestal height H.In various embodiments, the second/rear row seating pedestal height H1can be greater than the first/front row seating pedestal height H.

In various embodiments, the front row seat 46 and seating structure 50is the forward most seat 46 and seating structure 50 of the personaltransport vehicle 10, i.e., the seat 46 and seating structure 50 that islocated nearest the front of the respective personal transport vehicle10, in which the driver of the respective vehicle 10 will be seated tooperate the respective personal transport vehicle 10. Furthermore, therear row seat 46 and seating structure 50R of the personal transportvehicle 10 is the one or more rows of seats 46 and seating structures50R located behind or rearward (i.e., toward the rear of the vehicle 10)of the front row seat 46 and seating structure 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 6D, 7D and 7E, as described above, in variousembodiments the universal assembly platform 14 (e.g., 14 ₁ in FIG. 6Dand 14 ₂ in FIGS. 7D and 7E) can be utilized to construct a passengertransport vehicle 10 (e.g., 10 ₁ in FIG. 6D and 10 ₂ in FIGS. 7D and 7E)having a rear row seat 46 and seating structure 50R that is forwardfacing (i.e., passengers utilizing the rear row seat 46 and seatingstructure 50R will be seated facing forward toward the front of thevehicle 10) with a foot room or footwell, distance M between the frontrow seat 46 and seating structure 50. In various embodiments, the footroom/footwell distance M can be between 18 and 36 inches, e.g., 18 to 24inches. And moreover, such passenger transport vehicles 10 having theforward facing rear seating structure 50R can be constructed utilizingthe universal assembly platform 14, wherein the resulting vehicle 10 canhave the same overall longitudinal footprint length Y as other vehiclesconstructed utilizing the universal platform 14 (e.g., golf carsconstructed utilizing the universal platform 14). And still further, asexemplarily shown in FIG. 1B, golf cars constructed utilizing theuniversal platform 14 can have a shorter longitudinal footprint length Ythan passenger transport vehicles 10 having the forward facing rearseating structure 50R. For example, the golf car shown in FIG. 1B can beconstructed utilizing a shorter universal assembly platform 14.

As shown in FIGS. 6D, 7D and 7E, when the personal transport vehicle 10(e.g., 10 ₁ in FIG. 6D and 10 ₂ in FIG. 7D) is constructed utilizing theuniversal assembly platform 14 (e.g., 14 ₁ in FIG. 6D and 14 ₂ in FIG.7D) the forward facing rear seating structure 50R is disposed on (e.g.,mounted on or connected to) the chassis 16 and/or the floorboard 34and/or other support structure such that the forward facing rear seatingstructure 50R is disposed directly above, and in various instances,substantially centered above, the axis A of the rear wheel assemblies30. As used herein, describing that in various instances the forwardfacing rear seating structure 50R is disposed directly above andsubstantially centered above the axis A of the rear wheel assemblies 30means that the forward facing rear seating structure 50R is disposeddirectly above the axis A such that approximately half of the rear rowseat pedestal 48 is oriented, disposed, positioned or aligned forward ofthe axis A, and approximately half of the rear row seat pedestal 48 isoriented, disposed, positioned or aligned rearward of the axis A.

Moreover, chassis structure 16 is structured to have a substantiallyflat, planar profile such that a bottom of the seat pedestal 48 of theforward facing rear seating structure 50R is disposed on same plane P asa bottom of the seat pedestal of the forward facing front seatingstructure 50. For example, in various embodiments, due to thesubstantially flat, planar profile of the chassis structure 16, theforward facing rear seating structure 50R is disposed on (e.g., mountedon or connected to) the chassis 16 and/or the floorboard 34 and/or othersupport structure such that the junction where the rear row seatpedestal 48 contacts the chassis 16 and/or the floorboard 34 and/orother support structure to which it is mounted is substantially in thesame plane P as the junction where the front row seat pedestal 48contacts the chassis 16 and/or the floorboard 34 and/or other supportstructure to which it is mounted. Furthermore, the floor surface, e.g.,the floorboard 34, on which a passenger sitting the rear row seat 46will rest his/her feet is in substantially the same plane P as the floorsurface, e.g., the floorboard 34, on which a passenger sitting the frontrow seat 46 will rest his/her feet. Still further in variousembodiments, the height H of front pedestal 48 is substantially the sameas the height H1 of the rear row seat pedestal 48 H such that the frontand rear row seat bottoms 46A are disposed, located or oriented at thesame height above the floorboard 34 and/or the chassis 16. In variousembodiments, the height H1 is greater than the height H. Still yetfurther, the chassis 16 of the universal assembly platform isconstructed such that a top surface or side of the entire chassis 16lays within the same plane P such that the front and rear row seatpedestals 48 are mounted on or connected to the chassis 16 and/or thefloorboard 34 and/or other support structure in substantially the sameplane P.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , in various embodiments, the universal assemblyplatform 14 can further comprise at least one vehicle component mountingstructure 54 that is/are integrally formed with and/or mounted to themain vehicle chassis structure 16. The vehicle component mountingstructure(s) 54 is/are structured and operable to enable at least onevehicle component to be mounted to the universal assembly platform 14during assembly/construction of the vehicle 10. The vehicle componentmounting structure(s) 54 can be any structure suitable for connecting ormounting vehicle components such as the seat pedestals 48, a front cowlof the vehicle, side panels of the vehicle, rollover protection systems(ROPS), canopy systems, the floorboard 34, etc. For example, in variousinstances the vehicle component mounting structure(s) 54 can be track(s)or channel(s) integrally formed with or connected to (e.g., welded to)the main vehicle chassis structure 16 for adjustably/movably mountingthe seat pedestals 48 (or other vehicle components) to the main vehiclechassis structure 16. Or, the vehicle component mounting structure(s)can be hooks, or loops, or flanges, or tabs, or threaded bolts, orthreaded holes, etc., that can be utilized to connect or mount variousother vehicle components (e.g., front cowl, side panels, ROPS, canopysystems, the floorboard 34, etc.) to the main vehicle chassis structure16. Although FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates the vehicle componentmounting structure(s) 54 integrally formed with or connected to thechassis 16 illustrated in FIG. 3A, it should be understood that thevehicle component mounting structure(s) 54 can be integrally formed withor connected to any suitable chassis 16 such as those exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C, or any other suitable chassis utilizedto provide the chassis 16 for the universal assembly platform 14 asdescribed herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 , in various embodiments, the universalassembly platform 14, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 8 ,can be connected to or include a front bulkhead 58 and/or a rearbulkhead 62 that are structured and operable to provide a connectionmeans, or connecting structure for mounting various components of thevehicle 10 to the universal assembly platform 14. For example, invarious instances, the front bulkhead 58 can be utilized to mount orconnect the front suspension system 18 to the universal assemblyplatform 14, and/or the rear bulkhead 62 can be utilized to mount orconnect the rear suspension system 26 to the universal assembly platform14. Alternatively, the front and/or rear bulkhead(s) 58 and/or 62 can beutilized to mount a vehicle prime mover (e.g., an internal combustionengine and/or an electric motor) to the universal assembly platform 14,or to mount all or a portion of the vehicle powertrain and/or drivelineto the universal assembly platform 14, or to mount any other vehiclecomponent to the universal assembly platform 14.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is describedare intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Moreover, althoughthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exampleembodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elementsand/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinationsof elements and/or functions can be provided by alternative embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such variations andalternative combinations of elements and/or functions are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing a plurality of differenttypes and configurations of vehicles utilizing a universal assemblyplatform such that each of the different types and configurations ofvehicles have the same space footprint and can be shipped withinsubstantially the same shipping envelope, said method comprising:fabricating a plurality of universal assembly platform comprising a mainvehicle chassis structure and a floorboard disposed on the main vehiclechassis; constructing a plurality of base vehicle carriages, whereinconstructing the plurality of base vehicle carriages comprises:connecting a front suspension system having one or more front wheelassembly is mountable thereto to a forward end of each of the universalassembly platforms such a front wheel of the one or more front wheelassembly defines the proximal end of an overall length of each of thebase vehicle carriages; connecting a rear suspension system having oneor more rear wheel assembly is mountable thereto to a rearward end ofeach of the universal assembly platforms such a rear wheel of the one ormore rear wheel assembly defines a distal end of an overall length ofeach of the base vehicle carriages; connecting various different vehiclecomponents to different ones of the plurality of base vehicle carriagesthereby constructing a plurality of different types and configurationsof vehicles comprising respective ones of the plurality of base vehiclecarriages, wherein the distance between the proximal end and the distalend of the overall length of the base vehicle carriage defines afootprint of each of the plurality of different types and configurationsof vehicle, wherein each footprint is the same such that the differenttypes and configurations of vehicles can be shipped within substantiallythe same shipping envelope.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rearsuspension system comprises at least one independent suspensionassembly.
 3. The universal assembly platform of claim 1, wherein therear suspension system comprises a solid axle suspension assembly. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein constructing a plurality of base vehiclecarriages further comprising one of integrally forming with each of thevehicle chassis structures and mounting to each of the vehicle chassisstructures at least one vehicle component mounting structure, the atleast one vehicle component mounting structure structured and operableto enable one or more of the plurality of vehicle components to bemounted to the universal assembly platform during assembly of theplurality of different types and configurations of vehicles.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a first one of the plurality of differenttypes and configurations of vehicles comprises a single row of a forwardfacing seating structure and the second one of the plurality ofdifferent types and configurations of vehicles comprises at least tworows of forward facing seating structures.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the at least two rows of forward facing seating structurescomprises a front row forward facing seating structure and a rear rowforward facing seating structure, and wherein the rear row forwardfacing seating structure is disposed directly above the rear suspensionsystem.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the main chassis structure isstructured to have a substantially flat profile such that a bottom of aseat pedestal of the rear row forward facing seating structure isdisposed on same plane as a bottom of a seat pedestal of the front rowforward facing seating structure.
 8. A method of transporting aplurality of vehicles, said method comprising: providing at least oneshipping platform having a specified surface area; dividing the shippingplatform surface area into a plurality of equally sized shippingenvelopes having equal lengths and widths; loading a plurality ofvehicles onto the shipping platform such that each vehicle is disposedwithin a respective one of the plurality of equally sized shippingenvelopes, each vehicle comprising: one of a plurality of identical basevehicle carriages, each identical base vehicle carriage comprising: oneof a plurality of identical universal assembly platforms, each of theidentical universal assembly platforms comprising one of a plurality ofidentical main vehicle chassis structures and a floorboard disposed onthe respective main vehicle chassis; a front suspension system havingone or more front wheel assembly mounted thereto connected to a forwardend of each of the respective universal assembly platform such a frontwheel of the one or more front wheel assembly defines the proximal endof an overall length of the respective base vehicle carriage; and a rearsuspension system having one or more rear wheel assembly mounted theretoconnected to a rearward end of each of the universal assembly platformssuch a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines adistal end of an overall length of the respective base vehicle carriage;wherein the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of theoverall length of each base vehicle carriage defines a footprint of therespective vehicle such that the footprint of each vehicle has the samedimensions and fits within a respective one of the equally sizedshipping envelopes; and a plurality of vehicle components mounted to therespective base vehicle carriage, wherein the plurality of vehiclecomponents of one of the plurality of vehicles are different than theplurality of vehicle components of at least one other of the pluralityof vehicles such that the plurality of vehicles comprises a plurality ofdifferent types and configurations of vehicles, each comprisingrespective ones of the plurality of the identical base vehicle carriagesand having identical footprints; transporting the shipping platformhaving the plurality of different types and configurations of vehiclesthat have identical footprints loaded thereon from a first location to asecond location; and unloading the shipping platform.